The Down Range Forum
Member Section => Down Range Cafe => Topic started by: fightingquaker13 on September 11, 2012, 11:54:55 PM
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Folks, we are a dying breed here. We need more members. We have shrunk. I think three steps are in order.
1) A bit more civility. I have been on the receiving end of a lot of crap for not singing with the choir and I don't mind. I like a good tussle. Lots of folks don't though. I think we should endeavor to play nicer (and yes I'm talking to you Tom ;)).
2) We recruit 5 folks from other boards we frequent.
3) Our fearless leader MB offers some serious freebies in the next few months. Everything from tac lights to new Rugers. We give new members two entries for signing up and two entries to everyone with 20 or more posts.
We have to grow the forum folks. Lets get to it.
Just my .02.
Thoughts?
FQ13
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For what it's worth...
I joined USCCA for two things.. The forum and the magazine.
The place was geared for beginners, and those who wanted to learn, but who hadn't really thought about getting training beyond the required permit classes..
The forum was outstanding. Members were happy to answer questions of those new to CC and not all snarky about most things, (save 1911 vs Glock).
It [the forum] started to break down because of a few things..
> There came a Muslim guy from Lebanon who loved to stir the pot, and was nasty to the women, too. We were "tolerant" to the point of good people leaving rather than having to endure him and a couple of other guys who loved to tell everybody how stupid they all were and how smart they themselves were..
> Tim, the guy who owns the forum markets every hair brained scheme to everybody there. And while the "delete" button still exists, it was an insult to have to deal with somebody that you really do want to trust trying to sell you something new every other month, and emailing you every day, and sometimes tow or three times a day, about the latest whiz bang get rich quick idea..
It sucked..
> About a year ago, Tim changed the organization so that in order to maintain membership, (with access to the forum and truly first rate magazine), you had to buy into a group insurance program that was never clearly spelled out as to what it would actually cover if you were involved in a shooting situation, (other than that it "may" cover, "at the discretion of the board" pay for some expenses, after being found not guilty, or some vague business that rubbed HUNDREDS of ACTIVE members the wrong way..
The middle of last year it all blew up and most folks left. I would have myself but my membership is paid up for another year yet, so I check in there a couple of times a month, maybe, if that..
Last June, there were over 1,600 people logged in at once. and that wasn't all that unusual, though that was the high number for the sight. Often were were hundreds, and no matter what time of day or night, there were never less than a hundred.
The blow up happened last July.. As I write, there are 9 members and 9 guests on over there..
I think that if you want to grow membership here, you have to offer "easily accessible" content for the new shooter/CC people.
Think about this.. There are new to the concept of CC purchasing weapons every day now, driven by what we all see and discuss here.
Remember that before the site was no longer worth what they charged, they charged money for the access, and they had, (have) real content in return.
For me, the forum, where I had many "online" friends, (some that lived in my area, both in Maine and here that I met as a result of the forum) and the very good magazine, were why I paid the money.
"Former" USCCA members are EVERYWHERE.. You want those guys, because they're often times new to the whole world of CC and sometimes firearms in general.
They're ready to learn and happy to share..
I mention that site because the trappings are all still there. the content is still good, and accessible to members. I know we have some similar content here, but nobody knows it's here..
Notice what I'm saying and what I'm not saying.. I'm prepared to pay for access to this site. I'm prepared to pay $20 a year.
I'm NOT prepared to pay $120 or $200... I'm NOT interested in "Silver, Gold or Platinum or Magenta" memberships.
If you want to drive up membership, you will have to offer content/value and ask folks to pay a little something for it.
For a free forum, this is the place I want to be. I joined here the same time I joined USCCA. The forum there was better and there was more content. I hung out there till last July.... That was 4 years of active participation that I felt like I owned, in small part, because I paid money to be there.. But you have to treat people like they paid money, same as you, to be there.. Know-it-all smart asses get shouted down in that kind of environment, and some here wouldn't appreciate being shouted down for doing it the way they've always done it before..
I'm not adverse to telling somebody to go to hell.. Alot of folks don't want to have to deal with it, and will take their money and leave, (because it really isn't worth it)..
FQ, MB and Company may not want to put what it would take to make it a going concern. This place pretty much regulates itself. It took me a long time to even find the content area of this site. That may have more to do with my looking for conversation and exchange of ideas, though, rather than "How To" stuff..
NRA offers content, both print and electronic, and even a nightly internet radio show. Lots of resources, AND A VOICE to impact the direction of government and society.
I'm not suggesting to try to compete with the ILA. I'm saying that the NRA has a purpose for those who join.
I think you need that in order to develop what you want developed.
USCCA had that, till Tim got greedy and annoying beyond what it was worth to be around.. Nowadays, on that forum, I get shouted down when I mention anything about how it used to be there "when people still wanted to be there", by the new people, who paid specifically for the insurance, (that they will never collect on, and didn't fully read in advance...) I post there when I want some feedback but I don't haunt the place anymore. They really did destroy a good thing over there.
If admin here is interested, I'll give them my login info to go and look around for a couple of weeks, and I'll stay out for the duration of whatever agreed upon time frame, just to see what they did. It would have to be MB or Marshall, or maybe M'ette, though. They'd have to look for forum content that took place before June of last year, because that was the last month before it died.. I won't do it for a regular member here, because it wouldn't make any difference..
Pincus is a member over there. He is the same there as he is here though. He has a definite bias.. Any ideas about training that don't jive with his are kinda looked down upon. He about got a member of Gabe Suarez staff dismissed over a lack of being able to allow the guy to teach from the point of view he was hired to teach from..
(Rob, if you're reading this, I'm talking about your conversation with CR last Spring. You were pretty arrogant there.. And no, I'm not a somebody/anybody.
Different points of view are good, and there is much to be learned from most. Jeff Cooper would probably not see training the same exact way that alot of current top flight instructors do today. The pettiness drives folks away.. )
Well, I've blathered on for longer than anybody ever wanted me to about this.. I like the forum here. Growth thereof would make alot of "old guys" more uncomfortable than maybe considered..
It tales cash to invest to make a reason for people to want to come, and admin is as broke as the rest of us these days.. I'm just not sure anybody wants to invest the time or finances to grow it..
That's my .02 worth on it. Not that anybody asked me what I thought.. :-\
I'll be curious to see if anybody picks it up from here..
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I get your point, but I sort of disagree. We don't need to charge. This board offer two things, a friendly place to shoot the shat, and expert advice, if you ask for it, on all things gun. We just need to bring more folks in. We're not selling insurance, or anything else. The owners make money from ads based on membership. I click on the banners every now and again and I hope y'all do to. Its just about getting people here. The point is that a (relatively speaking) non-commercial site is a rare and precious thing, we should share the good news.
FQ13
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FQ, I have noticed that the principals are pretty busy...M-ette used to keep things stirred up and she's not as prevalent anymore. We have also gone through a change where some of the more "charter" sage members are not on line as often, or at all. We have also been dominated lately by politics, rather than guns....understandable but a lot of people want to hear about guns, not politics, so we should encourage more gun talk.
I'm not sure that you need to go for numbers as much as contributing newbies...with numbers come trolls and a tendency for more petty or strident conflicts. It would also be nice to have more women, as I think they have become a much larger segment of the shooting world, and they're fun!
I think the idea to recruit from other forums is a good one...good people. I also think it would help a lot to have more giveaways. That's selfish I know, but I remember winning a Ruger shirt once, and having some other dealings with the principals, and it was enjoyable, and I'm personally invested. The community aspect was what seemed different here.
I'm rambling... but good people talking guns is why I come here. I've made some good friends and that's the value here. THat and LET ME WIN SOMETHING!!!
When we had more giveaways there were more people joining.
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Maybe if we offered punch and pie?
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When we had more giveaways we had more people joining alright.
They'd post once and we've never heard from them again.
I just went and looked at the first 2 pages of the member list.
It lists 100 members per page and on each page there were 13 members who had 5 or more posts.
In those same 2 pages there 145 "members" who had 1 post, OR LESS. (69 on pg #1, 76 on pg #2 ) If you raise the bar to 10 posts or more the 2 pages total 17 members (8 on #1, 9on #2 ) that would indicate that less than 500 "members" participate in any meaningful way, with tens times as many who's only purpose in joining was something for nothing .
In that same 2 pages there are 4 who have over 100 posts which gives an average of 2%, or 110 actual, active posters on the site which I would think is far closer to the actual participation.
Numbers aren't what we need to look for.
Participation is.
FQ if you don't like my pointing out when you say things that are not true, or are blatantly stupid then don't post them with out having data to back them up.
The fact remains that as far as supplying new information the site is currently being carried by about 25 people like Pegleg, Santahog, Alf, etc.
I may not agree with everything Santahog has to say but he generates new conversation which is more than can be said for 98% of the current so called members.
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That's my point Tom. We need to recruit more active members to broaden the conversation. The only way to do this is to bring more folks in. Most will stay for a short time and go, as is true for all sites, but the hope is to get more folks interested who will stay for the long haul. I came here for a giveaway on .22 AR. I didn't leave. Probably a hundred others did leave. But that's the nature of fundraising, its about the numbers. You cast a wide net. Its why I'm recommending you check out AR 15 Armory. You built your AR. Lots of folks to talk to there. Bring a few back with you. The same is true with other gun/hunting/reloading/leather working sites. Get folks who are already interested and show them what we have here.
FQ13
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You may have more members than you think in that many, like me, don't comment or participate often. But I do read and listen to you senior members and try to learn what makes us all tick re guns and, yes, politics. I'm an NRA and ILA member and do the same there, but of course I pay dues and contribute when I can. For if it weren't for the NRA's of this world, we would have little to talk about! FQ and Tom are two people who make this site interesting, to name only a few. I learn from point counter-point, not from everybody agreeing. Yes, I enter contests hoping to win something I can't otherwise afford, but I have purchased every gun I own, won nothing. I think this site has much to offer shootists, young and old. So, to do my part I'll start by recruiting my son this weekend as we build a privacy fence around his property to keep the zombies out I guess. My son has a gun friend, both are AR fans of late but have other rifles, pistols, muzzleloaders, etc. So, I'll encourage my son to proselyte in that direction. The only question in my mind is are we man enough to accept new blood, new thoughts that maybe amateurish, show patience with those less knowledgeable (but who know everything just like us) and welcome them?
Last thought: This site is worth the effort. Shall we go for it?
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You may have more members than you think in that many, like me, don't comment or participate often. But I do read and listen to you senior members and try to learn what makes us all tick re guns and, yes, politics. I'm an NRA and ILA member and do the same there, but of course I pay dues and contribute when I can. For if it weren't for the NRA's of this world, we would have little to talk about! FQ and Tom are two people who make this site interesting, to name only a few. I learn from point counter-point, not from everybody agreeing. Yes, I enter contests hoping to win something I can't otherwise afford, but I have purchased every gun I own, won nothing. I think this site has much to offer shootists, young and old. So, to do my part I'll start by recruiting my son this weekend as we build a privacy fence around his property to keep the zombies out I guess. My son has a gun friend, both are AR fans of late but have other rifles, pistols, muzzleloaders, etc. So, I'll encourage my son to proselyte in that direction. The only question in my mind is are we man enough to accept new blood, new thoughts that maybe amateurish, show patience with those less knowledgeable (but who know everything just like us) and welcome them?
Last thought: This site is worth the effort. Shall we go for it?
And that is what what I'm talking about JR Lobo. You've been lurking quietly and then come up with words of wisdom? Stop hanging out on the porch and come inside, and by all means bring folks with you. We'd love to hear from you. Tom and I like to argue, a lot of folks don't. It's good either way. But you must have something to contribute whether its about guns or building a fence. Open a thread, we'll talk about anything. Welcome, and drag your boy along. ;D As far as showing patience? Most of us are idiots on half of what is discused here and just trying to learn. As an old prof of mine once said, its better to ask an interesting question than to have the correct answer to a boring one. We thrive on interesting questions, someone will know the answer.
FQ13
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All good points gentlemen. Nice to hear from JRLobo too. You sound like a smart guy. And BAC.... I LOVE pie! Let's have more pie!
Two points that I said and FQ and Tom also reinforced. Giveaways bring numbers and with that, maybe a little trouble and a lot of transients. BUT if you get a good member or two out of it it's worth it.
It's still the great place I joined. Maybe if we all try to bring someone along. Like my wife, Maggie. She came on here a couple of times, but she not interested enough in the culture here to sign on every day, even though she's quite the shooter. I'll work on her, and maybe a few could bring along wives and girlfriends, daughters... the "Ladies Night" principle. More woment will make it interesting.
Along the lines of "More content"- we could take a particular piece or genre of weapon and thoroughly explore it, with pictures. Maybe a new category or gun profiles, where someone thinking about a particular weapon could go right there, find an in-depth thread, and learn something.
Anyway, having this discussion is a step in the right direction.
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I expect most forums are at about the same percentage if you crunch the numbers. I think most have a core group of posters and a group that follows closely and regularly, but don't post a lot. If the average participation runs around 10% on the different forums, the the active members will be larger on the ones with 20,000 members versus one like us with 5000.
Like most forums, we have flat-spots from time to time. Do we need more participation? It's not vital, but I would like to see more input.... particularly from many of the members who have been here for years, but don't post.
I also agree with Jay, I try to stay informed, current and abreast of politics....but it can get downright mind-numbing at times. I'd like to see more gun-related discussion.
And yes, we need pie. ;D
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I expect most forums are at about the same percentage if you crunch the numbers. I think most have a core group of posters and a group that follows closely and regularly, but don't post a lot. If the average participation runs around 10% on the different forums, the the active members will be larger on the ones with 20,000 members versus one like us with 5000.
Like most forums, we have flat-spots from time to time. Do we need more participation? It's not vital, but I would like to see more input.... particularly from many of the members who have been here for years, but don't post.
I also agree with Jay, I try to stay informed, current and abreast of politics....but it can get downright mind-numbing at times. I'd like to see more gun-related discussion.
And yes, we need pie. ;D
Don't forget the punch.
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Mmnnn...gun talk!
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This is meant as a jibe to other forums. There have been some changes that make navigation a little harder, for us less educated , in computer science. As to politics, well there is a lot going on, sometimes daily, and I am glad that I seem to find out a day or 2 in advance.
You wanna talk guns, then lets talk, but it is harder as every manufacturer has a new gun of the week.
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As always you are spot-on Benn-ster...I'm proud to say that I hear about most things HERE, even before other folks I know or the BBC...that's pretty good reporting.
You are also right that there's a gun flavor of the month, and I don't think it's untoward to say that the folks in the industry, our own esteemed compadres here included, tend to push those themes. We are now in the .22 revolution because of PR.
Still, it's nice to hear about all the new stuff. Tough to comment on all of it though, because it's expensive to keep up.
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I mentioned the fee based thing because it takes money to operate the site, and have enough server space to make it run, and to give folks a reason to participate.
That was all..
I really don't know that "giveaways"work, but to the degree that they do, they cost money..
Sorry.. As much as I waste on cigarettes or a beer, I'm conscious that things cost money..
I'm out of money, and by the Grace of God, I'm out of debt.. I'll call it good and be thankful, at least for today..
I don't mind Tom jabbing a stick in my eye as long as I can return the favor. But I'm used to pissing people off, too.. ;D
I was just trying to convey what I saw that worked. USCCA was a marvel for a few years. Admin acting like telemarketers is what killed it.
I'm a member of Warrior Talk forum too. I don't post there, because it's a different kind of board, and this group just isn't that kind of group. Theirs is an active forum, though. I guess AR15.com is probably the most active that I've seen.
Let me point out, while I'm thinking about it, something that this forum is, that any other I've seen isn't.. This place is RELAXED!!
You can post an article without admin clipping it off after the first half a paragraph. You can speak your mind here without condemnation from on high.. I appreciate that.. And to be candid, I wouldn't hang around if I couldn't speak my mind. (Sorry you guys have to suffer through it.. ::))
I think things like evaluations of the flavor of the month would be a good thing, and there are a few here that I've seen, too. That's helpful content for a newbie.
Carry holsters, techniques, accessibility and drawbacks of each would be helpful content, again for the newbie.
I carry in a way that nobody does. I use a shoulder holster. I do something that nobody else has that I've seen. I paint it white, (so it won't show up against the background of a white T-Shirt..) I know, it sounds stupid, but it works well for me.. Gun guys don't notice it hanging there. It works.
Keeping a current list of "good" gunsmiths would be exceptional content. If that came in the form of some sort of blind test or non-compensated endorsement, or maybe just members posting good and bad in our own areas. That's great content!
Know what I mean?
I do enjoy jousting with Tom, and I don't mind challenging FQ on his ideas. I don't want to get into it if I'm gonna be dealing with somebody who is gonna be hurt so bad that I can't talk about anything else with them. That sucks.. I'm a little thin skinned, myself sometimes, but that's my problem, isn't it..
I don't make sense to myself half the time, but I try to consider the points somebody is trying to make. I wold like the same consideration.
This NDAA thing is something that I consider to be a nation ending problem. I differ with Tom and Jnevis on it because they read the law while I read the nature of people who would interpret/enforce it.
That's the nub of the difference. I think you guys must think that I listen to Prison Planet. (I don't, btw.. I listened to the guy there one evening and came here and talked about it. I think he's nuts, but I'm not sure he's all wrong, kinda like Ron Paul..)
Where politics intersects with keeping my/our guns is where politics is relevant here. I think it's worthy of discussion, and in fact imperative here..
Well, I'm getting up off the toilet and watching Restaurant Impossible with the wife..
I've rambled enough on this..
FQ, I hope you get your way!! I think newbies is a better group to target. Too many know-it-alls and the self-important are a drag..
God bless!!
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SANTA (and I capitalize it and lean on it heavily, AS IN "where the hell is my AR?"), this site is sponsored. So.. there are some corporate sponsors who provide fuel for this machine, and we know who they are....AND we know that our core staff must entertain, if not, cater to those sponsors.
Having said that, they do a great job of walking that line, and the best part of it is, they don't OVERMODULATE). I am on some other places where they're WAITING for you to say something out of whack so they can censor you.
Forums are discussion, and they need some caressing. We should tread lightly and encourage fun and entertaining posts, because lets face it, we don't come here to be beat up, brow beat, or informed of our ignorance.
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... because lets face it, we don't come here to be beat up, brow beat, or informed of our ignorance.[/color]
Actually I do hope to be informed of my ignorance because I can't know everything, that would be Tom ;D , and I have work/kids/wife with MS/UsPSA that take considerable amounts of my time as well. Correction here is rarely with anything other than humor or sincerity, which keeps me here. Besides, I've looked at other sights when it got slow after I finished school and there isn't anything like this I've found.
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SANTA (and I capitalize it and lean on it heavily, AS IN "where the hell is my AR?"), this site is sponsored. So.. there are some corporate sponsors who provide fuel for this machine, and we know who they are....AND we know that our core staff must entertain, if not, cater to those sponsors.
Having said that, they do a great job of walking that line, and the best part of it is, they don't OVERMODULATE). I am on some other places where they're WAITING for you to say something out of whack so they can censor you.
Forums are discussion, and they need some caressing. We should tread lightly and encourage fun and entertaining posts, because lets face it, we don't come here to be beat up, brow beat, or informed of our ignorance.
You're from Jersey.. You're talking to the wrong guy. You're not allowed such things.. You'll shoot your eye out!
I wouldn't cross that way at all were it not for a load of coal I've got to take to Mass..
I like this forum! I'm not addressing anything to admin here.. I'm talking to the question/FQ in the OP. I don't need any enticements, myself..
I've been on more than my share of those sites too. Those guys who are all holier than you or I? Yeah, those guys..
There's a guy I'll call Mike, on one called "Guntoters". (What a name..) I've encountered him on tow forums and FB over the years and the guy is an insufferable prig.. I won't elaborate beyond that. He's just an example of the kind of thing you mention. There's a guy in Ohio is almost as bad, but at least I like that guy..
We're, for the most part, on our own here, practically speaking.. We all seem fine, more or less.. Don't you think?
I think we come here to enjoy the company and have a good time. I'm trying to figure out if you're yelling at me for something or not..
WHO THE HELL AM I YELLING AT, ANYWAY!!!!
Do I need to schedule a reindeer piss stop down your chimney?.. :D
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The site provides revenue to the owner by the ads, but it also provides a place to discuss the DR TV shows and hopefully drives up viewership, which hopefully, drives up ratings and then fuels its ad revenue.
I like DRTV forum precisely because it's a mid-volume site. AR-15, Glock, S&W, Accuratereloading and others have way too much traffic for me to keep up with. I go there when I have specific questions or if I want to show off something to a very specific audience.
Not opposed to DRTV growing, just enjoying a comfortable level, for me, of posts at the present. Would like to see more gun posts. Now that my summer house renovations are completed, I'll be catching up on posting new guns and projects.
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Magoo, you will notice a big difference between my posts on history and politics where I am very well informed, and my posts in the gun related threads where I only know what I've worked with .
Santa, Yes, Jay is yelling at you, it's for not leaving the AR he keeps flooding you with letters about.
But considering fuel prices he should be damn glad for the coal ;D
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I expect most forums are at about the same percentage if you crunch the numbers. I think most have a core group of posters and a group that follows closely and regularly, but don't post a lot. If the average participation runs around 10% on the different forums, the the active members will be larger on the ones with 20,000 members versus one like us with 5000.
Like most forums, we have flat-spots from time to time. Do we need more participation? It's not vital, but I would like to see more input.... particularly from many of the members who have been here for years, but don't post.
I also agree with Jay, I try to stay informed, current and abreast of politics....but it can get downright mind-numbing at times. I'd like to see more gun-related discussion.
And yes, we need pie. ;D
bingo..
free beer might help...
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Good morning! Actually I am not yelling at anyone, except that Santa's offerings have been a little slim the last few years. I'm hoping for a "Makeup" Christmas morning this year.
This is one of those discussions that all lead to the same place....great place to hang and talk, and even when one of us goes too far off the deep end, it's entertaining anyway.
You guys are right...I live in quite a different world than most of you as far as 2A is concerned. It is an accident of birth and of a career path that has kept me here. I just recently started participating in the NJ Gun Forum, which is pretty good, especially for keeping up with what's going on in NJ or trying to make sure you don't step afoul of one of our many non-sensical laws. I see similar advantages as here, and similar drawbacks, although it does NOT self-regulate like DRTV. The moderators are much more active.
The discourse here is more to the point, more informative, and I think friendlier as well. And since I AM in this place, it's really great to be able to correspond with folks of a similar mind, talk about stuff, and find out the consensus from all corners of this great country.
This is a good place to hang, period.
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bingo..
free beer might help...
When has it ever hurt? ;D
FQ13
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When has it ever hurt? ;D
FQ13
Drivers Ed class ;D
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Fellas I joined this forum in Nov 2009. I contribute my sanity or lack of ;D to this forum. Where I currently work I may not go into town for a couple days and may not see anyone besides the wife at home or the neighbor driving by the house all week. Then on the weekends I may be able to talk some adults who are out her with their kids camping and it is usually Scout related. So I have been able to hang here and feel like I am amongst freinds.
Thank You
Ranger Dave
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The site provides revenue to the owner by the ads, but it also provides a place to discuss the DR TV shows and hopefully drives up viewership, which hopefully, drives up ratings and then fuels its ad revenue.
I like DRTV forum precisely because it's a mid-volume site. AR-15, Glock, S&W, Accuratereloading and others have way too much traffic for me to keep up with. I go there when I have specific questions or if I want to show off something to a very specific audience.
This is absolutely the case for me. I'm late to the game in this forum because I never watched DRTV and therefore didn't really know about this forum or DRTV in general. Mostly because I didn't want to shell out the extra bucks my cable company charges for the channel tier that offers the Outdoor channel. But I discovered this forum based on listening to back issues of the podcast. Since viewing the forum posts, I've recently decided to pony up to my cable company just to get the Outdoor channel and watch the DRTV episodes. So, the sponsorship and ads work, I'm proof of that.
I've also been active in CalGuns but spend less and less time there due to the insane and diminishing quality volume. I'd rather spend my time perusing old threads here, because that's more productive.
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BB I did the same thing, although I had the Outdoor Channel before and just recently ponied up to get it back.
Ranger Dave while I have more adult interaction there are just a few like minded indviduals that I interact with on a regular basis outside of this site. This is a comfortable place, where I actually learn a thing or two.
FWIW I think DRTV is fine the way it is but if it were to grow I would hope it would be through like minded people being invited from other forums by current members.
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Ranger Dave, Glad we can serve as your "link to society".
I'd rather be where you are than where I am.
I like the forum at about the size it is, in general if there is a technical, gun, training, etc type of question being discussed I know based on past performance who is talking from knowledge, who is thinking about it and who is just talking out their butt.
If it gets to large we lose some of that.
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I like it here because, although most guys know I landed on my noggin' one too many times, they don't rub my nose in it too often!
I can be a dumb ass and get through the days toils unabridged by my lack of better judgement!
"They love me, they REALLY love me!" (Sally Field as Norma Rae)
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OK, fine, I apologize for my absence as of late. I still jump on and read most days. However I have had an EXTREMELY busy summer, ad I have several irons in the fire for future endevours. Cheif among those is a 10 day trip to do a new climb in the Wind River range next summer and a mont long excursion to Nepal in the fall of 2014. You wouldn't believe the red tape that entail. (Well, maybe you would). Anyway, like Mette, just cause I'm not posting doesn't mean I'm not around. ;)
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I first want to say that I appreciate the hard work required to make these forums available. I understand the time and effort required to keep the bits and bytes flowing and I offer a big THANK YOU to everyone involved.
I enjoy our community just the way it is. As with any neighborhood, you get folks who move in for awhile and then move out. Others like it well enough to stay and we have the opportunity to get to know them a little better. Others drive through and don’t even bother stopping because they don’t like what they see. Some neighbors talk all the time and others just give a friendly wave now and then. I’m OK with all of that.
What’s really important, if you’ll allow me to extend the metaphor, is that we are all neighbors. We don’t always agree, we don’t keep our yards the same, some of us play our music a little too loudly, and others won’t pick-up after the dog takes a walk. None of that matters because we care about each other as neighbors should.
We share the good stuff… and we are comfortable enough to share the bad stuff. We get excited when someone brings home a new toy and we also take the time to say a prayer when a friend needs support. And the best thing about our neighborhood is that the longer we stay the stronger our friendships become.
It’s always nice when new folks move in and become good neighbors but it should happen naturally. It should happen because they like what they see and they feel that they can be comfortable sharing a little bit of themselves with the rest of us. It’s our responsibility to give the newcomers a chance… to listen with open minds and to respond respectfully. It will be evident soon enough if the “fit” isn’t quite right and they’ll move on.
Let others judge us for what they should see as our greatest strengths… honesty, respect, humor, insightfulness, experience, and camaraderie.
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I first want to say that I appreciate the hard work required to make these forums available. I understand the time and effort required to keep the bits and bytes flowing and I offer a big THANK YOU to everyone involved.
I enjoy our community just the way it is. As with any neighborhood, you get folks who move in for awhile and then move out. Others like it well enough to stay and we have the opportunity to get to know them a little better. Others drive through and don’t even bother stopping because they don’t like what they see. Some neighbors talk all the time and others just give a friendly wave now and then. I’m OK with all of that.
What’s really important, if you’ll allow me to extend the metaphor, is that we are all neighbors. We don’t always agree, we don’t keep our yards the same, some of us play our music a little too loudly, and others won’t pick-up after the dog takes a walk. None of that matters because we care about each other as neighbors should.
We share the good stuff… and we are comfortable enough to share the bad stuff. We get excited when someone brings home a new toy and we also take the time to say a prayer when a friend needs support. And the best thing about our neighborhood is that the longer we stay the stronger our friendships become.
It’s always nice when new folks move in and become good neighbors but it should happen naturally. It should happen because they like what they see and they feel that they can be comfortable sharing a little bit of themselves with the rest of us. It’s our responsibility to give the newcomers a chance… to listen with open minds and to respond respectfully. It will be evident soon enough if the “fit” isn’t quite right and they’ll move on.
Let others judge us for what they should see as our greatest strengths… honesty, respect, humor, insightfulness, experience, and camaraderie.
Well put, JL.
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Well put and right-on. I really don't need us to be any bigger. But a conversation like this does remind one to get off the old duff and contribute more.
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Well put and right-on. I really don't need us to be any bigger. But a conversation like this does remind one to get off the old duff and contribute more.
Amen..
BTW, Jay, I'm just the baby sitter.. You'll need more juice than I've got to get that down your chimney.. I'd suggest no less than Moses, for what you want.. (At least farther up the food chain than me.. ;D)
PS.. Times is hard all over.. They ain't no money up here either.. (That's why I shoot an AK..)
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Amen..
BTW, Jay, I'm just the baby sitter.. You'll need more juice than I've got to get that down your chimney.. I'd suggest no less than Moses, for what you want.. (At least farther up the food chain than me.. ;D)
PS.. Times is hard all over.. They ain't no money up here either.. (That's why I shoot an AK..)
And I thought it was cuz they work well in the cold ;D
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And I thought it was cuz they work well in the cold ;D
Nah.. That whole magic thing comes with the suit. No problems at the house.. The Russians don't believe (and can't see us) and Canadians just want booze, and they take care of that themselves. The Hueys run under license but it takes 3 years to get a check out of Washington. Were it not for a good cause, (and I get to play with the Gatling Gun) I wouldn't deal with them at all.. Who needs the headache!
The AK is just another toy. (What? You thought I gave it all away?)
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Nah.. That whole magic thing comes with the suit. No problems at the house.. The Russians don't believe (and can't see us) and Canadians just want booze, and they take care of that themselves. The Hueys run under license but it takes 3 years to get a check out of Washington. Were it not for a good cause, (and I get to play with the Gatling Gun) I wouldn't deal with them at all.. Who needs the headache!
The AK is just another toy. (What? You thought I gave it all away?)
Maybe I've not had enough coffee.... ;D
How far back do I need to scroll to be able to figure out what we are talking about? ;D
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I've been a member here for a while, I read a lot and post a little. I think this is nothing forum specific, having interests in a platitude of things means I am a member of a few boards and they are all suffering from people leaving or a lack of interest in the discussion. Perhaps some of it has to do with how tense everyone is over this polarizing election. The parties have announced they are picking and choosing nonsensical lines between issues so entangled it confuses the masses into rage. People get butt hurt over the simple stuff now political or not. Unfortunately there is nothing you can do about it.
If you put out a bird feeder you'll get the squirrels. Freebies and hand outs only attract a few, content, and good content at that will bring about the right crowd.
Boobies also help.
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Maybe I've not had enough coffee.... ;D
How far back do I need to scroll to be able to figure out what we are talking about? ;D
I had been complaining to Santahog that I had been waiting several years and didn't get that AR under the tree I"ve been asking for.
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Now we know where he got his screen name.
Santa is Hogging the good toys ;D
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Boobies also help.
Indeed, Suh!!!
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Your wish...
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Your wish...
You sir drive great content. Coaxed two posts out of me.
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You sir drive great content. Coaxed two posts out of me.
Unless you p!ss him off you're lucky to get one a month. ;D
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lol Tom. As much as I try to hold myself above it, the internet does piss me off sometimes. The good news is I don't hold grudges and still would give you a great big ol' hug. ;)
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Thanks, but I'll settle for a handshake. ;D
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I first want to say that I appreciate the hard work required to make these forums available. I understand the time and effort required to keep the bits and bytes flowing and I offer a big THANK YOU to everyone involved.
I enjoy our community just the way it is. As with any neighborhood, you get folks who move in for awhile and then move out. Others like it well enough to stay and we have the opportunity to get to know them a little better. Others drive through and don’t even bother stopping because they don’t like what they see. Some neighbors talk all the time and others just give a friendly wave now and then. I’m OK with all of that.
What’s really important, if you’ll allow me to extend the metaphor, is that we are all neighbors. We don’t always agree, we don’t keep our yards the same, some of us play our music a little too loudly, and others won’t pick-up after the dog takes a walk. None of that matters because we care about each other as neighbors should.
We share the good stuff… and we are comfortable enough to share the bad stuff. We get excited when someone brings home a new toy and we also take the time to say a prayer when a friend needs support. And the best thing about our neighborhood is that the longer we stay the stronger our friendships become.
It’s always nice when new folks move in and become good neighbors but it should happen naturally. It should happen because they like what they see and they feel that they can be comfortable sharing a little bit of themselves with the rest of us. It’s our responsibility to give the newcomers a chance… to listen with open minds and to respond respectfully. It will be evident soon enough if the “fit” isn’t quite right and they’ll move on.
Let others judge us for what they should see as our greatest strengths… honesty, respect, humor, insightfulness, experience, and camaraderie.
+1
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Like others have said. I've been a member for a couple of years. I read almost daily but rarely post. Typically when a question is asked or topic of discussion brought to the table, a more in-depth answer or perhaps a more informed answer has been provided before I get a chance to post. It seems like overkill to answer a question that has been answered especially when it is a better or more thorough answer than I can provide. One of the things I like best about this forum is that just sitting back and observing for a while, I have been able to form an educated opinion regarding the other members here and their expertise when answering questions or offering opinions. Many of the larger forums get so many answers, it makes it much more difficult to discern who knows what they are talking about and who is talking out of their a@#.
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Like others have said. I've been a member for a couple of years. I read almost daily but rarely post. Typically when a question is asked or topic of discussion brought to the table, a more in-depth answer or perhaps a more informed answer has been provided before I get a chance to post. It seems like overkill to answer a question that has been answered especially when it is a better or more thorough answer than I can provide. One of the things I like best about this forum is that just sitting back and observing for a while, I have been able to form an educated opinion regarding the other members here and their expertise when answering questions or offering opinions. Many of the larger forums get so many answers, it makes it much more difficult to discern who knows what they are talking about and who is talking out of their a@#.
Here!
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As one of the early members, I can say that I do miss the place. Lots of changes, got busy trying to stay afloat, yadayadyada.. :D Not that I ever posted a ton, but we did have some fun scraps now and then. Wait till after the election. There may be a huge surge after that..
M'ette isn't around much either.. now that is a shame.
I guess I will have to shore up some of billt's posts on CZ's and 1911's, maybe some 3 Gun posts and photo's. Heck, I have two boys now shooting 3 Gun with me, and one at 11 is going to beat me badly here soon if I don't get off my keester.
-Bidah in Montana
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Things HAVE slowed down a bit, but I still check in on you folks several times a day.